The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Oct. 17, unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the surprise attack by Hamas 10 days ago against Israel, pledging support for Israel to defend its borders and exist as an independent nation.
The straightforward, pro-Israel motion brought out more than 50 people who spoke in opposition, saying the board left out reference to Israel’s retaliatory bombardment of the Gaza Strip, killing of Palestinians, and preventing water, food, medicine and electricity from entering Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians.
Among public comments, less than 10 supported the board’s measure. Most wanted the board to reject the motion for fear it could encourage genocide in Gaza and provoke hate crimes directed at L.A. County residents who are Muslim or of Palestinian descent.
“It is not OK to ignore an entire population that has been on that land,” said Emma Bornstein, who said she is an American Jew and a descendant of Holocaust survivors. “We cannot ignore Palestinian lives right now.”
The board received support from Israel Bachar, consul general for the country of Israel, who addressed the board in person.
“To the county of Los Angeles, I would like to express gratitude for standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Israel is experiencing the darkest days in its modern history,” he said. “This is the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. The Israeli people are devastated but we are determined.”
He said Israel is at war with Hamas, with the objective of destroying the terrorist organization and securing Israel’s borders. “It will take time. We will emerge victorious. I ask you to stay strong with us,” he concluded.
A board action taken hours later called for de-escalation of the conflict and protection of innocent Palestinian and Israeli citizens, and asked the Biden administration to provide humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.
The Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel by Hamas militants left 1,400 Israelis dead as Hamas militants broke into homes, killing residents including woman and children, and massacring hundreds at a music festival. Retaliatory strikes by the Israeli government have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.
Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose district on the Westside and in San Fernando Valley is home to the largest Jewish and Israeli-American communities in Southern California, co-authored the motion along with Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
“There is no excuse for the brutality our world has seen this past week,” Horvath said. “Los Angeles County and our nation unequivocally stands with Israel and our Jewish community and fully condemns Hamas’ brutal acts of terrorism.”
Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn, who is chair of the board, referenced the attack by Muslim extremists on New York City and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001 in comparison. “The brutality of Hamas is really unconscionable,” she said. “We condemn those attacks and offer our support to the Jewish community here in Los Angeles County. We in L.A. County are unwavering in our support of Israel.”
A handful of speakers spoke in favor of the board’s resolution.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization,” said Cliff Goldstein, a representative of the American Jewish Committee. “Let’s be honest: If Hamas is allowed to win, terrorists everywhere will be emboldened.”
“On behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, we stand with Israel. And Los Angeles County is home to half a million Jews. Your show of solidarity in this dark moment is reassuring,” said Rachel Wallace.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden will travel to Israel Wednesday to meet with Israeli leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden’s trip to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grew more dire and as Israel prepared for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what U.S. and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.